Page 84 of Hot Vampire Next Door: Season Five

The ground trembles. Once. Twice. Three times. I recognize the pattern as footsteps, but whatever is behind it must be massive.

The trees rattle, then part, finally revealing a V formation of six creatures I’ve never seen before.

“Holy shit,” I breathe out.

“Autumn beasts?” Arion says unable to keep the surprise from his voice.

Each beast is the size of an adult elephant, but they look more like a lion with a ruff of amber hair around a face that reminds me of a fox.

On the backs of each beast is another member of the Autumn Court holding the leather reins attached to a headpiece that fits snuggly against the animals’ forehead.

One of them, the beast at the forefront, runs its tongue over its lips revealing sharp incisors.

Lethea glances back at me. “You have all of us, and six Autumn beasts at your disposal. All we ask is that once you’re reinstated on the Winter Throne, you sign a treaty, one that will be signed by all four courts declaring our dedication to the balance of power and season.”

Over Lethea’s shoulder, I meet my brother’s eyes. He should be part of this just as much as I am. After all, if the plan goes accordingly, he’ll be signing that treaty too.

Arion nods at me.

To Lethea, I say, “I agree to this condition.”

“Starting fresh then,” she repeats. “Shall we get started?”

“I’d love nothing better. I hope your beasts are starving.”

She grins at me. “They could always go for a bite.”

Episode One Hundred One

I GUESS I’M THE BAIT

With Lethea, her Autumn Court soldiers, and the six Autumn Court beasts joining our group, we stick to the river as we head toward the Summer Palace. As we walk, we talk about the plan.

“We needed to take the Summer Queen by surprise,” I say, stepping over a large rock jutting out from the river’s current. “But I don’t know that surprise is on our side now.”

“We stick to the original plan,” Arion says ahead of me.

The sun has risen above the treeline and the air has grown hotter and more humid. Sweat beads at the back of my neck. Fighting against the river’s current is making the journey a bit slower, but I’m thankful for the cool water to balance out some of the day’s heat.

Arion steps up on a boulder half submerged in the river, then jumps off it, splashing water.

One thing I’ve noticed about a lot of the fae here, or the higher ranking fae, is that they move with such grace and surety. Like they’ve been balancing on high wires and leaping off cliff edges since birth.

Will I ever possess that kind of grace?

Bran holds out his hand for me as we come upon a fallen branch that crosses the river from bank to bank. I frown at his hand and decide to clamber over on my own. I slip on a wet rock underfoot, then get my shirt caught on a broken branch.

Bran watches me with amusement.

“Quit smiling,” I say with a grumble.

Lethea plants her hand on the branch and then practically vaults herself, clearing it easily.

Dammit.

Bran continues the conversation once I’m over the branch. “I agree with you,” he says to Arion. “Sticking to the original plan is our best option. But in reverse,” he adds.

Arion waits for us to catch up and thinks over the new tactic. “I think I see where you’re headed with this.”